ALL-STAR Game Summary/Box Score
July 15, 2006 NORTH ALL-STARS at SOUTH ALL-STARS @ Bear River High School

2006 ALL-STAR GAME

JORDAN KJAR AND SOUTH DEFENSE JUST TOO MUCH TO HANDLE FOR NORTH ALL-STARS AS SOUTH CRUISES TO 37-0 VICTORY

GARLAND – The South All-Stars could not score a single point until there was 3:09 remaining in the first half…

But then score they did.

The South All-Stars pummeled the North All-Stars with 37 unanswered points over the final 2+ quarters behind a defense that held the North offense and a vast array of weapons to a paltry 179 total net yards and a quarterback in Jordan Kjar of the Muddogs who simply made play after play after play… as the South overwhelmed the North for the 4^th consecutive season 37-0.

Kjar was almost unstoppable, passing for 213 yards and 2 touchdowns and leading all rushers with 45 yards on 5 carries to carry the South offense onto victory. The South would amass almost 400 total net yards (397) and Trevor Bell of the Ogden Rhino-Raiders had an exceptional evening as well, hauling in 5 passes for 130 yards and one touchdown… a key touchdown right before the first half ended from teammate, Dave Stireman, to turn what would have been a 3-0 or 6-0 South lead at the half to a 10-0 margin and a greater comfort zone heading into the second half.

In the second half it was all Kjar and the South offense as Kjar spread the ball around to 8 different receivers in the half. Not only did Kjar also hook up with Bell a couple of times, but he also connected well with the Wolverines tight end, Ryan Seely, who caught 4 passes for 52 yards and was the second leading receiver in the game.

Of course the other side of the story was the great South defense.

Donning the black and yellow in commemoration of the RMFL’s first ever champion, the Rocky Mountain Bulls, the South defense played like them, holding the North rushing game to a meager 68 yards on 19 carries, including only 16 yards on 5 carries for the league’s rushing champion, Justin Nixon of the Bitterroot Blaze.

Neither of the North quarterbacks, Donavan Ard or Shane Jurasek could seem to get completely on track as the pass coverage from the South was exceptional forcing some difficult catches and making the North earn every yard they got.

For the South defense, all of the stars simply did what they do best. Justin Walker of the Ogden Rhino-Raiders and Matt Shoda of the Utah Wolverines lead the team in sacks, Matt Peterson got an interception and Amos Fiefia recorded a sack and was a real problem all game long in the North backfield.

It was a perfect effort for the South stars and an All-Star game to remember by all.

NORTH ALL-STARS	0	10	13	14	37
SOUTH ALL-STARS	0	0	0	0	0
Scoring Summary:
Second Quarter:
South: Kennington 23-yard field goal 3:09 South: Bell 12-yard pass from Stireman (Kennington kick) 0:11
Third Quarter:
South: Young 19-yard pass from Kjar (kick failed) 9:10 South: Seely 10-yard pass from Kjar (Kennington kick) 4:44
Fourth Quarter:
South: Josh Christensen 1-yard run (Kennington kick) 11:45 South: Handcuff 3-yard run (Kennington kick) 6:22

	NORTH		SOUTH
First Downs	7		16
Rushes-Yds	19	68	29	138
Passing	9--32--1		15-34-2
Passing Yds.	124		274
Sacked-Yds	2	13	3	15
Net Passing Yds.	111		259
Total Yds.	179		397
Punts - Avg.	5-40.2		2-48.5
Penalties -Yds	7	46	7	50
Fumbles - Lost	2	2	2	1
Individual Stats:
Rushing:
Player -Team	Tot. Att.	Tot. Yds	TD's	2 pts.
Justin Nixon - Bitterroot	5	16	0	0
Jeff Dottson - Grand Junction	4	14	0	0
Gavin Johnson - Missoula	2	13	0	0
Keith Daboo - Helena	2	13	0	0
Sterling Wynn - Great Falls	2	9	0	0
Nate Rydalch - Madison	3	1	0	0
Zac Johnson - Madison	1	2	0	0
Jordan Kjar - Muddogs	5	45	0	0
Mike Messinger - Bear River Valley	4	31	0	0
Dannon Handcuff - Utah Heat	4	24	1	0
Justin Oswald - Cache Valley	4	17	0	0
Geriah Nay - Magic Valley	4	14	0	0
Josh Christensen - Vipers	6	12	1	0
Dave Stireman - Ogden	2	-5	0	0
Passing:
Player	Comp.	Att.	Yds	TD's	Int.
Shane Jurasek – Missoula	5	15	78	0	1
Donavan Ard - Idaho Falls	4	16	46	0	0
Jeff Dottson - Grand Junction	0	1	0	0	0
Jordan Kjar - Muddogs	12	20	213	2	2
Dave Stireman - Ogden	3	14	61	1	0
Receiving:
Player	Recepts.	Yards	Td's	2 pts.
Gavin Johnson – Missoula	2	50	0	0
Zac Johnson - Madison	3	27	0	0
Brock Gunter - Pocatello	2	20	0	0
Brandon Reed - Idaho Falls	1	19	0	0
Kelly Nebeker - Pocatello	1	8	0	0
Trevor Bell - Ogden	5	130	1	0
Ryan Seely - Utah Wolverines	4	56	1	0
Dannon Handcuff - Utah Heat	1	20	0	0
Norvel Young - Cache Valley	1	19	1	0
Geriah Nay - Magic Valley	1	15	0	0
Chris Hooper - Muddogs	1	14	0	0
Justin Oswald - Cache Valley	1	8	0	0
Mike Messinger - Bear River Valley	1	2	0	0
Defense:
Player	Tackles	Sacks	Intercepts	TD's
Zac Jockumsen - Boise	6.5	1	0	0
James Decoteau - Missoula	5.5	0	0	0
Mike Rohde - Great Falls	4.5	1	0	0
David Craig - Great Falls	4.5	0	0	0
Troy Sutton - Pocatello	4.5	0	0	0
Roy Withers - Madison	4	0	0	0
Justin Weaver - Idaho Falls	3.5	0	1	0
Tony Sanderson - Missoula	2.5	0	0	0
Justin Lamb - Helena	2.5	0	0	0
Eric Easterbrook - Grand Junction	2.5	0	0	0
Dane Knickrehm - Boise	2.5	0	0	0
Tony Rojo - Glacier Knights	2	0	0	0
Kish Beverly - Madison	2	0	1	0
Paul Tryon - Bitterroot	2	0	0	0
Nate Rydalch - Madison	1.5	0	0	0
Brock Gunter - Pocatello	1	0	0	0
Eddie Sullivan - Helena	1	0	0	0
Joe Critchfield - Boise	1	0	0	0
Kelly Nebeker - Pocatello	1	0	0	0
Dave Moore - Great Falls	0.5	0	0	0
Justin Walker - Ogden	5.5	0	0	0
Matt Shoda - Utah Wolverines	5	0	0	0
Levine Tupe - Ogden Rhino-Raiders	2.5	0	0	0
Gary Smith - Muddogs	2.5	0	0	0
Matt Wiser - Cache Valley	2.5	0	0	0
Mike Christensen - Vipers	2.5	0	0	0
Josh Christensen - Vipers	2	0	0	0
Matt Peterson - Vipers	2	0	1	0
Amos Fiefia - Cache Valley	2	1	0	0
Tim Rhoades - Morgan	2	0	0	0
Sean Healy - Cache Valley	1.5	0	0	0
Siolo Toala - Utah Heat	1.5	0	0	0
Kyto Khouangrasvongsay - Muddogs	1.5	0	0	0
Val Tiatia - Ogden	1	0	0	0
Adam Whitaker - Bear River Valley	1	0	0	0
James Flynn Vipers	1	0	0	0
Matt Stroshine - Ogden	1	0	0	0
James Neslen - Utah Wolverines	1	0	0	0
Jason Blair - Magic Valley	1	1	0	0
Kick Returns:
Player	Punt Ret	Punt Yds	Kick Ret	Kick Yds
Kish Beverly - Madison	1	7	2	29
Nate Rydalch - Madison	0	0	2	49
Sterling Wynn - Great Falls	0	0	2	33
Jeff Dottson - Grand Junction	0	0	1	25
James Neslen - Utah Wolverines	4	41	1	30
Kicking:
Player	xpt att	xpt made	fg att	fg made
Rapheal Roberts - Missoula	0	0	1	0
Bryce Kennington - Vipers	5	4	2	1

Game Preview by: Jared Neumeier

GARLAND – It is most certainly a whole lot different challenge to “preview” an all-star game, much less predict a winner, however, as usual, with a game of this magnitude, we try to do our best anyway.

What is most different is that it is usually not significant to talk about which team has the “advantage” over this position or another… each team will be loaded with some great players… players that will really be fun to watch.

What is most significant in a write up such as this is to outline the more “interesting” match-ups… and in some cases, interesting “teammates”.

The All-Star game is great for bringing most of the leagues top players together in one venue. They get to drop their team affiliations for a game and just enjoy playing the greatest “pick up” game of football that can be played.

The North will sport the league’s top AAA passer in Troy Dougherty. Dougherty will receiver additional quarterback support from the Mustangs strong leader, Donavan Ard and a former league passing champion in Shane Jurasek from the Missoula Raptors. Dougherty, along with Madison Lionz head coach, Rick Hilder will be running the North offense, so expect a little more “airing it out” than usual for an all-star game.

The North quarterbacks will have stars Brandon Reed of Idaho Falls, Kelly Nebeker and Brock Gunter of Pocatello, Eddie Sullivan of Helena and Zac Johnson and tight end, Nate Brown of Madison to air it out to. This is an absolutely exceptional core of receivers, which includes the league’s fastest man (Reed), the reigning MVP (Brown) and a 3-time RMFL Offensive MVP (Gunter).

The North will have great running back support to keep the South defense “honest”. Late word is that the league’s top running back, Justin Nixon of Bitteroot, may not be able to play, but if he is not, the North still has the AAA rushing champion, Travis Boden along with Sterling Wynn of Great Falls, Gavin Johnson of Missoula and Keith Deboo of the Helena Titans. Look for guys like Wynn, Johnson and Deboo to play a lot of slot back in the usual single back formation that the Madison Lionz usually employ. Travis Boden looks to improve on last seasons dismal 5 carries for 1 yard effort when the North simply had no answer for the South’s defensive front… for the second contest in a row.

That will be up to the offensive linemen up front. The North hopes that Todd Rietmann and Joe Critchfield from the Roughriders, Ryan Lingenfelder from Idaho Falls, Nate Maw from the Lionz, Wesley Newman from Snake River and Bryan Gollnick who helped pave the way for Justin Nixon’s 1200+ yards in Bitterroot can get the job done much better than the 2004 and 2005 units.

The defenses will always be good in all-star games and the North will have some of the best. The North unit will include the AA sack champion, Justin Lamb from Helena who lead both divisions in sacks with 12. The leagues tackles champion for the 3^rd time in 4 years, Zac Jockumsen from the Boise Roughriders will be on hand. Likely, however, the key for the North defense will be the secondary.

The North defensive backs which will include, Troy Sutton from Pocatello, Jason Zielanski from Glacier, Justin Weaver from Idaho Falls, Dane Knickrehm from Boise, Tony Sanderson from Missoula and Kish Beverly from Madison, must contend with trying to stop the likes of Damon Greenberry, Trevor Bell, Norvel Young and Chris Hooper who will be challenging the secondary for the South. The North has the defensive line to cause some pressure and the linebackers to make tackles, the key for the North defense will be these guys ability to stop the big play passing attack that Dave Stireman and the Ogden Rhino-Raider passing attack will bring… and the league’s top receivers (by yards) in the game today.

Rapheal Roberts of Missoula will do the more than capable place-kicking for the North team who looks to get back on the winning ways after losing the previous two contests.

Speaking of Dave Stireman and the Rhino-Raiders, fresh off a championship victory, Stireman has agreed to take his rightful place behind center at the all-star game for the first time in three seasons and along with the Muddogs proficient passer, Jordan Kjar will trigger what could be a very explosive South offense.

As mentioned above, Stireman and Kjar will have the AAA’s #1 and #2 receivers in Bell and Greenberry; Greenberry broke all kinds of receptions records in 2006 having indisputably the best season ever by a wide receiver in RMFL history. The South will also have Kjar’s favorite receiver, Chris Hooper of the Muddogs. Hooper lead the AA in receiving yards in 2006. And to top that off, Stireman will be re-united with the player who had been his favorite receiver over the past several seasons before leaving to join the Cache Valley Bears this year, Norvel Young. The tight end will be the ever capable, sure-handed, Ryan Seely of the Utah Wolverines.

In the backfield, the South will have their share of dangerous running backs. The “big backs” include Justin Oswald of Cache Valley, who finished second in rushing to Boden of Idaho Falls, and Dannon Handcuff of the Utah Heat who turned some heads with some strong running against some of the best defenses in the RMFL in 2006. But lets not forget the Vipers incomparable power/speed back, Josh Christensen who can score as well from anywhere on the field. Smaller, but definitely not small, Bear River Valley’s Mike Messinger, will also be toting the rock. Messinger was the AA’s second leading rusher for most the season behind the revamped Rocket offense that turned that franchise around. The Magic Valley Bulldawgs chip in the greatest athlete on their team, Geriah Nay who has the speed to do it all and the hands to make plays out of the patented Ogden slot position and may see plenty of time from that spot with the bigger Oswald, Christensen and Handcuff taking it out of the backfield.

The South line will be very imposing with Ogdens Todd Wheelwright at center and Eric Christensen along with Aaron Sawyer of the Utah Wolverines, Tyler Card of the Muddogs, Austin Rowser of the Morgan Marauders, Charles Kano (another ex-Rhino-Raider) of Cache Valley and Mike Holley of the Vipers. With the south being home this year and the travel shorter, I look for this unit to show up in full and help make things happen for the South. I think that the qb’s and running backs will really enjoy this unit and should not have trouble moving the ball and scoring.

The South defense should be exceptional again. Last season’s unit held the North to under 100 total net yards, 7 first downs and 13 points as they romped on the North by a 43-13 score. The North did not score until the 4^th quarter and one of those touchdowns was a 94-yard fumble return by the Lionz Irvin Hill. Had the South scored on the drive the score could have been more like 50-7… OUCH!

The South will have many of those same players. Big names include Matt Shoda of the Wolverines and Justin Walker of the Rhino-Raiders at linebacker. Shoda is the league’s reigning strongest man and Walker lead the league in quarterback sacks from the Linebacker position. The defensive line front, which dominated so completely the last two games, will include Ogden’s Val Tiatia, Cache Valley’s Amos Fiefia, the Wolverines’ Andrew Butler and Thomas Benjamin, Magic Valley’s Jason Blair and Morgan’s Tim Rhoades. All these guys KNOW how to get into opposing team’s backfields.

The secondary, which will be surely tested by North quarterbacks Dougherty, Ard and Jurasek and an array of explosive receivers, includes great players like Siolo Toala of the Heat, Matt Peterson and James Flynn of the Vipers, Matt Stroshine of the Rhino-Raiders and home town boy, the pride and joy of the Rockets defense, Adam Whitaker. Again a solid secondary.

What may help the North some is the special all-star defensive restrictions on blitzing, as guys like Walker, Gary Smith of the Muddogs, Levine Tupe of the Rhino-Raiders are especially fond of getting into the backfield quickly. The North most certainly has some quarterbacks that have proven they can make teams pay if they have time.

I still don’t see it being enough for the north this year. If this game were being held in Idaho Falls or even Pocatello again, I’d say this will be the North’s year to turn it around. I do, however, expect a much closer contest than the 43-13 game of last year; probably something closer to the 34-29 south win two years ago in which I ended up having to coach at the last minute.

In fact, that sounds like a good score to run with. I’ll predict two things: a South win by around 34-29 and A LOT OF FUN by the players!!! Enjoy the purity of the sport!!